Analysis of Government-Civil Society Power Relations in Australia and the US - Case Study Example

Analysis of Government- Civil Society Power Relations: Australia and the US Name of University Submitted by Names: Tutor: Date Analysis of Government- Civil Society Power Relations: Australia and the US Introduction According to Max Weber, power may refer to a scenario whereby one party is prevailed over by the other, so that there can be broader manipulation of the former’s cognitions, perceptions and preferences. Therefore if the government is absolutely powerful than civil societies, it is obvious that men who control it will have real powers over both private and private agencies devoted in providing health and other welfare programs in the society. In some cases, there may be a situation of elite power, where an elite group dominates over the powerless population (Batley, Richard, Larbi, George A. 2004) Contrary to this are a liberal-democratic societies, in most case the center of authority and power is not concentrated in a given individual or few people; Power and authority would be spread across a variety of disciplines and authorities, which may even extend beyond the state. This is founded on the Foucaudian concept that power will go hand in hand with regimes of truth rather than being an imposed as an ideology (Lukes 2005). A civil society refers to the aggregate of institutions and organizations that are non-governmental, which manifest the will and interests of citizens. In this regard, therefore, apart from private spheres and family, it may also include individuals and organizations that are independent from the government (Brouwers 2011; Jumbe et al. 2008). In Australia and other countries the overriding interpretation of the term civil society regards them to be non-profit. Civil societies such as voluntary organizations and social enterprise exist to help other people, especially those that are vulnerable in the society so that they can improve their lives (Civil Society 2014; Ghaus-Pasha 2005). Moreover, a vibrant civil society may contribute to better public services and economic growth of a country. However, as it may be expected, the yet to be formed civil society should be aware about power relations between the government and existing civil societies, as regards, legal framework, responsibility to sponsorship among others (Rothkopf and Hughes 2014). Therefore by choosing Australia and the US, the paper will discuss how the power relations between civil societies and the governments affect starting up a social enterprise as it expands into international domains. Most authors agree that power relationship between civil societies and the government can be determined by the kind of political economy the latter espouses. For instance, in free market economy, there is a tendency for individuals to makes business and social decisions undisturbed by the government. On the contrary, in socialism, it is the government to determine the distribution of goods and services, because it wants to ensure social and economic equality for everyone (Madsen 2013). Batley,Richard, Larbi, George A.(2004), asserts that, For individuals to establish a civil society in Australia, they have to get involved in substantial legal obligations. One should note that different state and federal laws may apply, especially in areas such as fundraising, tax status and incorporation. The next step will be a philosophical background on how to go about to accomplish the desired outcomes: mission, funding avenues, management among others. Thereafter one will move on to fill forms to seek government approval if the society desires some legal benefits that include exemption from paying taxes. However, he can just begin an informal civil society without any government approval. It is important to mention that states differ in their legislations regarding the registration although in all cases, it is not difficult. It is emphasized that every NGO becomes registered so that its assets can be protected by the state. For foreign NGOs, they can register as one the non-profit organizations in the country. The other factor the can be used to measure the power level of a civil society in any given country is the functioning of democracy (Dudley and Rodriguez 2013). Both countries seem to embrace the importance of liberal democracy as the best approach to freedoms, human rights and belief in human dignity. It is also important to note that by being liberal-democratic societies, feminist movements have achieved a lot. Currently, women have the right to vote, attend university, initiate divorce, stand for parliament and own property in marriage (Sheehan 2013). On one hand, the US is a country that believes that for a nation to thrive, democracy must thrive first. Therefore in both cases civil societies are formed to play key roles in protecting human dignity, human rights and human progress (Kyriacou 2012). Notably, there are approximately 1.5 million civil societies that operate in the United States. In Australia, as per 2007 census, they range about 700,000 NGOs. One can note that with such large numbers, together with free democracy that allows people to speak freely without facing any retribution, the civil societies in both countries can help to shape the nation’s courses and sustain power it (Woodward, Parkin and summers 2010). In fact it has become common for most members in the two countries to belong in one or more NGOs. Fourthly, the scope of the organizations’ activities can also reveal the power relations between the government and civil societies. Australian civil societies are engaged in working with communities that are disadvantaged to eradicate poverty. The societies have also made a contribution to the total gross income by 0.5%. However small or large they are, civil societies in this country are hallmarks for free democratic nations. Since they represent citizens of the country, they will always be debating and advocating on behalf of their members (Foreman 2014). Other essential services provided by them include healthcare, education and sports to the community (Ghaus-Pasha 2005). In America, civil societies take part in political advocacy issues such as elections, environment, foreign policy, healthcare, economic development, women rights and so forth. Apart from political domain, many NGOs in both countries offer their services to labor unions, vulnerable groups in the society, and members of religious faith (US Department of State 2012). The fifth factor to determine power relation is the source of finance. As already seen, the Australia civil societies had employed around 885,000 people with their aggregate revenues being over Aus$74.5 billion. Of this, 34% came from the government, 38% from sale of commodities, and 14% from membership fees and fundraising (Setreading, Hughes and O’Neill 2008 ) For the case of US, their sources of finance include private sector for-profit organizations, donations from individuals, grants from the government, and philanthropic organizations among others. However, the government does not restrict any organization from getting foreign aid. Regulation of funding to civil societies in the two countries is also a key determinant of their influence. According to Secretary Clinton, the US, just like many other democracies, Australia included, allows private organizations to solicit funds from abroad, so long as their activities are not those on the banned list of fraud, terrorism and child trafficking (US Department of State 2012). The other key determinant as regards powers of governments over civil societies is the system of political economy. One of the civil society’s fundamental is to reduce the role of much politics in the society by expanding individual liberty and free market. This goes oppositely with a single most tyrannical market and authoritarian state. According to Pabst and Scazzieri (2012), the power of civil society can never be separated from the connectivity in which states and markets operate. They add that there is a wide implication that depicts the relationship between the power of civil society and the market structure. Socialist or communist government has absolute control over the market economy, everything including activities of civil societies. This is true taking into consideration that civil societies would want to be autonomous from politics or the state, with their own lives (Sheehan 2013). On the other hand, capitalism will encourage setting up and flourishing of private business and civil societies that will even have to ensure transactional markets and representative politics. Although Australia and the US do not practice pure capitalism, they are generally termed as capitalist nations. In both nations, corporations are increasingly off shoring, outsourcing, subcontracting, and downsizing their workforce (Moksnes and Melin 2012).They have opened their economies profoundly to the world, because of free markets and corporatism (Hughes and O'Neill 2008). Lastly, finance power of the civil service is another determinant. Power relationship between the state and civil societies will depend on each side’s financial power. In most cases, civil societies that have had massive resources, especially from international sources, have been seen being in constant opposition with some governments (Johns 2014). Studies done on NGOs in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda revealed that since the organization received huge funds from powerful external sources such as USAID and UNDP, they were so powerful, to the extent that they could even eclipse the state in governance (Madsen 2013; Reno 2006). Report Executive Summary To decide whether this Australian Civil society should expand into America or not, the paper has made some analysis regarding the effects of the government-civil society power relation to it. The analysis regarding how powerful each can be on the other has been done considering factors such as country’s democracy level, scope of activities by civil society, sources of finance, fund regulation, system of political economy and civil society finance power. From their careful evaluation, the study has opted for option 3 which states that the organization expands later, after five years. During this period, it would have asserted itself in Australia and remedied many deficiencies in operation before expanding to America. Introduction For a small Australian civil society considering expanding to foreign lands, especially in the US, it is important that it consider power relation between the government and civil societies. Power refers to a scenario whereby one party’s decision prevails over the other party or subject, so that there can be broader manipulation of the latter’s cognitions, perceptions and preferences. The functioning and hence, the success of a civil society will depend; at large extend, on this power relation. Therefore, as the paper discusses how power relations between civil societies and the government are distributed, in the US and Australia, there will be analysis of options and recommendation on whether the Australian civil society should expand to America or not. Discussion The level of Democracy in a Country Taking into account that both America and Australia are liberal-democracy, espousing capitalism, it is expected that there will be no such barbaric manipulation of private entities and their resources/ assets. Hopefully, things will continue being based on Foucaudian concept that power will be vested in truth. In this case, legal frameworks of the two countries will continue being favorable to smaller civil societies as they expand into other destinations. Since American and Australian legal systems are generally similar, it will be easier for an Australian civil society to expand to America. The other advantage is that both countries acknowledge the importance of civil societies in protecting human dignity, human rights and human progress. This is supported by the large number of civil societies operating in the two countries and the number of citizens they espouse. When such a small civil societies expand into America it will be easier to get a willing population as its staff, following an easily set up legal framework by the existing parties. The Scope of Activities Done by Them Activities done by NGOs in both countries are relatively similar and at the same scope, with the American civil societies being involved much in political advocacy. However, if the newly formed civil society is willing to undertake services in healthcare, education and sports it will be easier, as there are already avenues to offer them. Financing Level The other aspect on this category is financing. As already discussed, the two governments are sponsoring officially registered civil societies (Madsen 2013). Political Economies Political economies of the two countries are relatively similar, and it is expected that civil societies will remain uncontrolled. However considering that the economy of the US is much huge, civil societies may not absolutely control the wishes of the government, as it is the case with developing countries, because they can overpower them with resources. Options Option 1: Not Expand For this option, the Australian civil society will remain operating only in Australia without taking its activities to America. In this case, it will not face any difficulties such being unable to influence a very powerful foreign government, looking for more funds for expansion and operations, and scrutinizing activities that involve auditing resources of foreign firms due to ensuing terrorism, which may be harsher in foreign land than in home country. However, it may lose more financial sources due to limited scope of region and services. Most international organizations are well respected since they stand a greater chance of functioning under international organizations like the UN (Newmark and Maude 2014). Option 2: Expand Now Expanding now is not wise because the organization is still very small and it is yet to assert itself in home country first. It will be important if it waits to realize the successfulness of its operations and services first. Moreover, limited sources of finance may pose another problem. It need s reliable sources of finance to establish and ran the business in foreign countries (Watase 2014). Option 3: Expand Later, after 5 years By waiting to expand later, the society would have known difficulties and successfulness in its operations, and if possible, asserted its operation in the whole of Australia. These difficulties should have been remedied before heading to foreign lands for expansion. After successfully being aware about how the business functions, it will be easy to delegate the duties to other people in other countries as part of the company’s operational needs there(Watase 2014). Moreover, the firm stands to benefit from moderate American power on civil societies. Being an international charity organization, it will be likely to get more funding from international philanthropists. The organization will find an easy entry and long-term operations due to the fact that the two countries’ legal framework, system of political economy, and trend of participation are relatively similar (Newmark and Maude 2014). Recommendations From the analysis, it is best if the organization can choose the third option. Remembering that the two countries’ legal framework, system of political economy are relatively the same, with the high numbers of people willing to participate in this kind of organization, what needs to be done is to let the organization assert itself at home first before expanding abroad. This will give it a good chance to remedy any problem that it may face so that it goes abroad when it is already successful at home. Therefore the second option is not appropriate, as there are no enough expertise and resources to expand its resources. Likewise, taking the first option will not be wise since it may lock itself out of international financing sources due to its small and local scope (Newmark and Maude 2014). Conclusion From the discussion it is apparent that option 3 is the best. In this regard, the two countries at greater level, espouse similar systems of political economy, with the same rate of populations willing to participate in activities of civil societies. However, it should use the five years to assert itself at home, to gain necessary resources and expertise before advancing into foreign lands. Bibliography Batley,Richard, Larbi, George A.(2004) The changing Role of Government: The Reform of Public Services. Palgrave Macmillan Publishers. Basingstoke. Australian Government, 2014, establishing a non-government organization (NGO), viewed 23 September 2014, Brouwers, R 2011, The Power Of Civil Society, International Institute of Social Studies. 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